14 
5th Stage. 
6th Stage. 
KR COLEETT. 
M.-N. KI. 
ground colouring has commenced to shew its first traces along 
the base of the anal, whilst the other portions of the body 
(below the median line) are still yellowish-white, and the belly 
bluish as in youth. 
The head has become darker, the black stripe between the 
eye and the snout fainter. 
In this stage the scale-covering has also spread over the 
belly, but the tail portion still remains bare up to near the end. 
On the whole, it is on almost only the dark coloured portions 
that the scale-covering is present, the lighter being still bare. 
A scale or two is also to be found on the dorsal and anal. 
(Fig. 5). Almost fully coloured specimens. One individual 
in this transitory stage is of a total length of 144 mm. (whilst 
there are a few smaller specimens, of a total length of 126 
and 140 mm. which have already attained their final colouring). 
This specimen still wants but little of being fully coloured, 
the body being of a uniform dark greyish-brown throughout, 
with the exception of a narrow stripe below the median line 
along its entire length, which still retains the yellow tint of 
youth. The belly, too, is darkly coloured, except in the light 
wedge along the sides (under the pectoral fins). The patches 
on the body have almost entirely disappeared. 
The last traces of the juvenile yellow colouring below the 
median line, probably disappear, as a rule, when the individual 
is about 120 mm. in length, but may still be present in speci- 
mens of a total length of up to 150 mm. 
The scale-covering is now complete, even on those portions 
of the body, where the dark colouring has not yet appeared; 
some scales are also found on the dorsal and anal. 
(Fig. 6). Fully coloured specimens, with the generative organs 
in activity. 
6 individuals caught (in one haul with the otter trawl) in 
July 1897, are of a total length of 126—184 mm. 
In this stage (which possibly may be the pairing dress) the 
body is of a uniform dark yellowish-brown colour throughout. No 
distinct patches are to be met with, but down the sides from 
the back to the ventral line, indistinct dark shadings may be 
seen, which however do not protrude on the dorsal and anal. 
The fins are dark, like the head; the tone of colouring on 
the vertical fins is still a little darker than on the body itself. 
